Planners' sex club rejection saves city from 'Sodom and Gomorrah'

A city was saved from turning into "Sodom and Gomorrah" after a planning committee refused an application to convert a Grade II-listed building into a swingers' club, protesters said tonight.

Planners had recommended an application to turn the historic New County Hotel, a 170-year-old building in Gloucester, into a private members' sex club, complete with "fetish room for adult enjoyment".

But Gloucester City councillors denied the application tonight - much to the glee of a dozen or so objectors present at the meeting - on grounds that the city centre location was unsuitable and contrary to planning policy.

The planning application stated: "The private members' club would comprise an exclusive venue for people with alternative sexual lifestyles such as gay men and women, bisexual men and women, transvestites, cross-dressers, cross-genders, variables and swingers."

And despite it being narrowly refused on planning grounds with six votes to five, those who objected saw it as a "triumph for common sense".

Susan Johnson, who addressed the committee on behalf of those who stood against the plans, said she found the application "revolting and repugnant".

Addressing the committee, she said: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. You are the good men and women of Gloucester. Please vote against the proposal."

After the meeting, Ms Johnson added: "I didn't use the words Sodom and Gomorrah, but I feel that this would have been the thin end of the wedge, which would only lead to Gloucester turning into that.

"I'm not homophobic, but I can love people and hate their activities. I can still hate the homosexual act. And I certainly hate adultery."

The application has increasingly courted controversy over the last few weeks, and at the beginning of the committee meeting, held at the city council offices in Gloucester Docks, a pack of "late submissions" were handed out.

The comments strongly voiced objections to the application on moral grounds - which under planning policy guidelines can not influence a decision to approve or reject plans.

But many of the comments were derided as homophobic and did not win any support from the councillors, despite the final outcome.

Coun Mary Smith (L, Matson and Robinswood), who voted against the proposal to reject the application, said: "I'm absolutely appalled by some of these comments. I don't think I've ever read anything so homophobic. I'm saddened to think that we've not moved on at all."

Planning committee chairman Coun Phil McLellan (LD, Barnwood) said: "I'm a Christian. I'm appalled by what some of my Christian colleagues have said. I find it fairly repulsive and very sad."

And although the majority of the councillors appeared to have no moral objection to the club, they did have concerns about the suitability of the location and the impact it could have on other ongoing city centre redevelopment schemes.

Retired journalist Andrew Harley, who turns 70 next week, spoke in support of the application.

Mr Harley is a resident of Gloucester for 50 years, runs website UK Gay News.

He read out comments left by a 17-year-old on a newspaper website expressing disgust at the "prejudice and hypocrisy" shown by those who objected.

The teenager was "just the sort of person who members of this committee should be planning for", he said.

He added: "I've never hidden it, I'm gay. I turn 70 next week, I'm coming to the end of my life, but there are many in this city with a lot to live for."

After the hearing, Mr Harley said he was "shocked" by the committee's decision.

"It's a bad decision and I'm surprised. The councillors are saying if you want this sort of thing, you're going to have to travel to Bristol, Birmingham, or further."

But he added: "Personally, I'm not disappointed. I'm just a pensioner - I can't afford a room in the hotel."

Mr McLellan said the applicant could appeal against the committee's decision.